Supporting The Man Who Lifts Your Veil

The day you said, “I do” you chose your love. Since then you have been learning to love your choice. Supporting the man who lifts your veil goes along with this promise.

Some years ago I was asked to provide a short devotional at a bridal shower. As I pondered what I might say, the concept of the bridal veil came to mind.

I made a simple veil from a puffy piece of netting, some white flowers, and lace. When it was time for devotions on the night of the shower, I placed the home-made veil on the head of the bride-to-be and shared a few words of encouragement with her concerning the important step she was able to take.

The Veil

I reminded her that the bridal veil symbolized her passage from protected innocence to commitment to one special man. As the ceremony begins, the bride belongs to the first man in her life, her father, who proudly escorts her down the aisle. But at the altar he relinquishes her to another man, the groom.

After the pastor pronounces the couple husband and wife, the beaming groom lifts the veil for their first kiss as a married couple. And the bride willingly grants him access to her lips and, “till death do us part,” to her entire life.

I talked about the parallel between the bridal veil and the veil in the tabernacle between the holy place and the holy of holies. For centuries the tabernacle veil separated God from His people except for one day each year when the high priest was allowed to enter to offer sacrifice for himself and the nation of Israel.

But when Christ died on the cross, the veil was torn from top to bottom. This symbolized the complete access we now have to God through Christ. Matthew 27:51 says, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.”

Hebrews 10:19-22 says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

When the Veil is Lifted

Similarly, when the bridal veil is lifted, the bride offers to her groom complete access. This was not available to him before they said, “I do.”

As I concluded my talk, I lifted the veil and said,

“Ruthie, when your new husband lifts this veil on your wedding day, remember that you gave him permission to do so. Through your marriage commitment you grant him total and permanent access to your life. This is both emotionally and physically.

“As your marriage goes on, there will be times when even you won’t want to share something with your husband or when an argument disrupts your relationship. You will be tempted to pull down the veil. The temptation is to separate yourself from him. Don’t do it. Once the veil is lifted, it is gone forever. You are totally his.”

Then I gave Ruthie a small, square piece of netting to slip into her Bible as a reminder of the lesson of the lifted veil.

Becoming One

Whether you wear a veil on your wedding day or not, I invite you to consider its symbolism in your relationship to your husband. Through your marriage vows you and your husband become one. On that precious day, you grant him complete access to your life.

Next to your relationship with God, nurturing your relationship with that one special man is the most important responsibility you’ll have.

This article is edited from the book, The Stay at Home Mom, by Donna Otto. It is published by Harvest House. This is a book that applauds the stay-at-home mom. It cheers her on with practical ideas to make the journey and adventure. Unfortunately, it is no longer being published.

Print Post